PRBristol
Wayne Douglas, explains why the next generation are key to securing the future of housebuilding
City Living at its Best
If you have walked along East Street in Bedminster recently, then you can’t have failed to notice the remarkable transformation of Imperial Arcade. Located directly below Grade II; listed Consort House, the covered arcade forms a key part of Factory No.1; a new development of 271 apartments built by award – winning heritage developer City & Country.
The 1980’s pedestrian arcade is now completely unrecognisable; space and light has been increased with raised ceilings and additional lighting to showcase the lanterns. The heights of the glazed screens to each of the shops has been raised, the paving (previously a dark red colour) has been replaced with a bright natural stone, and the original brickwork has been restored and painted in places.
Most strikingly, the arcade has been adorned by distinctive green and black artwork, the result of a collaboration between local artist SP:Zero, Bristol City Council, Purcell Architects and City & Country.
The refurbished arcade is now home to the Factory No.1 residential sales office and will also provide a collection of creative workspaces and new retail premises, creating a vibrant mixed – use environment attracting a range of people to the area.
Suzanne Aplin, Sales & Marketing Director at City & Country, said “Factory No.1 lies at the gateway to Bedminster – one of Bristol’s most vibrant areas. Imperial Arcade is one of the first impressions visitors will get when visiting the building, so we wanted to transform it into a stylish hub that reflects the areas creative heritage. That is why we worked with SP:Zero, a fantastic local graffiti artist, who designed the distinctive branding. We hope that the new workspaces will continue Bedminster’s tradition of being a home for independent businesses and we are working with JLL to find tenants for this exciting refurbished space.”
Many of the new apartments at Factory No.1 have been crafted from the same buildings that were once the headquarters of Imperial Tobacco. Designed by Sir Frank Wills, Consort House is known for being the first factory of tobacco importers and manufacturers W.D & H.O Wills in 1886, hence the development name. Now City & Country is writing a new chapter for these buildings, alongside the creation of five stylish new apartment buildings, alongside the creation of five stylish new apartment buildings designed around attractively landscaped courtyard gardens.
Factory No.1 includes a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with prices ranging from £255,00 to £657,000. Help to Buy is also available on homes priced up to £600,000. To find out more, contact City & Country today!
